So, I did end up having to have a blood test last week. Ugh. I was so pale after that the doctor had me stay for another half an hour before letting me go. I really hate injections. Not enough to not want to have them, I know the importance of them, just that I hate them. xD

Again, this chapter may be late as the site has some weird 503 errors going on this morning when I try and log into my account.

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 75

"Is it really okay for me to be here?"

Ruby wouldn't hear any of Weiss' complaints and dragged her bodily into the tavern. Unlike the Initiates, the older Arcanists didn't react with shock or awe to the sight of an Initiate – why would they? One or two noted her presence but otherwise went back to their food and conversation as though she didn't exist.

"It's fine. No one will care. Pyrrha is upstairs."

The redheaded Arcanist smiled on seeing them, tilted her head and waved happily. She already had three drinks in front of her. "Good evening. I'm glad you two are back on talking terms."

"It's not as though we hated one another," Weiss said haughtily.

It had felt like it. Ruby sat down and took a quick drink rather than bring that all back up again.

"I took the liberty of ordering for you both," Pyrrha said. "I hope you don't mind but it's busy here tonight."

"It's fine," Weiss said. "And this place is nice. It's a lot more peaceful than the food halls."

Trust Weiss to dislike what Ruby liked. The food halls at the academy might have been loud and crowded but they were full of food. Free food. Back there, she could eat whatever she wanted and as much of it as she wanted. Here, she had to pay. Or Pyrrha did, but Ruby still felt bad enough not to order too much.

The food came soon enough, and they fell into easy chatter, and once Weiss realised that no one cared if she was an Initiate or not, she joined in eagerly. Since Pyrrha was mostly training and Ruby was doing business of the White, there was nothing Weiss wasn't allowed to hear.

"Memories?" Pyrrha asked after Ruby finished with her story. "As in, changing them?"

"Recovering them is what she wanted but obviously yeah, the magic could be used for changing them as well. That's what made the White so nervous."

"I can't say I blame them." Weiss said, and Ruby happened to agree. "Whether her intention was good or not, that kind of magic could be used for so much ill. I dread to imagine what Vale – nay, the world – would look like if we could remove, supplant or change people's memories at will."

"Hmm. That's why I told her she had to stop. She… uh… didn't take it well."

"Did she strike you?" Pyrrha asked incredulously.

"No, no, no. Just arguments. I tried to say why it was bad and how she had to stop but she made it clear she wasn't going to." Ruby sighed. "I had to report it to Goodwitch and now I'm worried about what's going to happen to her."

"You shouldn't be. It was her choice to ignore you."

"I know, but maybe I could have done better…"

"On your first attempt?" Weiss asked indignantly. "Don't be foolish. Practice makes perfect and you've never done this before. I think you did well enough if it didn't end in violence."

"What happens to her now?" Pyrrha asked.

"Glynda said that she'll be brought into the White and they'll explain things a little heavier handed. If needs be, they'll take the research off her and forbid it."

"There you have it then," Weiss said. "The issue is dealt with. You tried your best and she ignored it, and now she's going to face the consequences of her actions. You need to remember that you're an Arcanist, Ruby. Your age and stature don't matter when you carry that gemstone. She must respect your words. They carry the weight of the White Arcana behind them."

Ruby giggled. "You sound like a stuffy old teacher."

"W-Well it's still valid! You're no Initiate now. You should be proud of that."

Maybe she would have been if she'd had to work hard for it. Wildmagic made all of that so pointless, however. Just visualise what you wanted and get it, unlike the weeks and months and years of hard work everyone else had to put in. There were times she wondered if maybe jealousy motivated the Arcanists as much as fear did against her kind.

"I'm going to go check in on her tomorrow."

Weiss looked troubled. "You don't trust the White?"

"It's not that. Goodwitch said I should anyway – probably to make sure she doesn't just say she'll stop to the White and then continue."

"Hmm. That's a fair point." Pyrrha said. "Finding all these small discrepancies and investigating them to root out potentially dangerous magics. Your work sounds so interesting!"

"Ahah. It's not as fun as it sounds. I mostly go over paperwork. I don't even do any magic."

"You would if someone fought back." Weiss pointed out. "Not everyone is going to stubbornly refuse and then let you go back and tell your superiors. What if it was some dangerous forbidden magic and they attacked you to keep their secret?"

Then they'd be in a lot of trouble once they found out she was a Wildmage. Even if they did hurt or kill her, it'd also be pretty stupid since the White Arcana knew who was being investigated and by whom. They'd have Crimson Arcanists smashing the person's door down within minutes of her body being found.

"I'll be careful." Ruby promised.

"Careful doesn't cut it. You fool." Weiss sighed dramatically. "I suppose the only option is for me to graduate quickly and join you. Without me, you'll only get yourself killed doing something reckless."

Pyrrha smiled into her drink, watching Weiss with shaking shoulders. "Sheesh," Ruby droned. "You're not my mom."

"Then stop making me feel like it! Ugh. And here I thought becoming an Arcanist might mature you a little. How wrong I was. Do I get to sleep in my own room tonight, or are you going to grip onto my like a baby?"

"Children. Children." Pyrrha said between her laughter. "Don't fight."

"Weiss started ittt!"

"I did not! No, stop laughing! This isn't funny!"

The Arcanists on the nearby tables rolled their eyes at the three young women loudly laughing and giggling in the corner of the tavern.

/-/

Emerald Sustrai was absent from the Azure Archives come the morning. Ruby's initial panic was tempered by the knowledge was supposed to be at the White, but it didn't stop her agonising over it to the point that Port suggested she take a break from work before she drove them all mad.

A few hours after midday, an Initiate of the Azure she'd asked to alert her came up and bowed his head. "Lady Arcanist, you asked me to inform you when Initiate Sustrai returned."

Ruby perked up. "She's here?"

"Yes, Lady Arcanist." The man speaking was older than she was, and he definitely felt some indignation at having to bow to her, or maybe just at how respectable she wasn't acting. "Initiate Sustrai returned fifteen minutes ago and has gone back to her quarters. Is there anything else you need of me?"

"Nope. You did good."

The man twitched.

Ruby ignored him and moved quickly to Emerald's research room. If she'd come back already then that had to mean the talks had gone well, otherwise the White would have kept her for longer. Urgently, Ruby knocked on the door and tapped her foot on the floor.

It opened after a few seconds. "Hello?"

"Hello!" Ruby chirped. "Do you remember me from yesterday?"

Emerald sighed and opened the room wider. "I do, lady Arcanist."

She clearly didn't if she hadn't given her name. "It's Ruby," she said. "I wanted to check up on you. I know it's not fair that you have to lose all your research, especially with how much it means to you-"

"No. I'm the one who should apologise. I was rude to you yesterday." Emerald bowed her head. "I'm sorry. After speaking with Lady Goodwitch, I've decided you were right."

Ruby blinked. "I was-?"

"I've decided my research was too dangerous and I have to give it up."

"Oh. That… That's quick."

"The White explained what it could lead to," she said, sitting down on a chair. "I didn't realise how bad things could be if Arcanists could re-write memories at will. It's horrible. I don't want magic I make to be responsible for so much suffering. My research was too dangerous."

You didn't care about that yesterday, Ruby thought. Her words back then had been that she didn't care for the consequences so long as it helped her mother. Is she lying to make it look like she's changed her mind?

"Oh," Ruby said. "So, what about your mom? Didn't you want to help her?"

"I did." Emerald's expression went through a brief moment of confusion. Her eyes flickered and crossed inward. "I… I do… want to save her. I… but no, my research is too dangerous. People could abuse…"

"Emerald?"

"Hm?" Instantly, calm overtook her, and she looked back at Ruby. "Oh yes, I was saying that as much as it hurts, I probably have to accept what is happening to her. The Emerald Arcana will do their best. If they can't then mother wouldn't want me to put myself or others in harm's way. My research was too dangerous," she repeated. "Too dangerous."

Nervously, Ruby approached and touched the girl's arm. "Emerald?"

The green-haired girl smiled her way. "Yes?"

"Why didn't you accept my words when I said it was too dangerous yesterday?"

"I was wrong. I should have listened-"

"I didn't ask that," Ruby interrupted. "I asked why you didn't accept my words. What were your reasons for refusing to listen to me?"

"I… I was angry. I was upset." The girl licked her lips. "I thought you were trying to stop me from helping my mother. That I was being punished because of what bad people might do with my research when I only wanted to help her!" A little heat returned to her voice. "It wasn't fair!"

"And the White changed your mind?"

"I… well yes… they… my research was too dangerous. They explained that to me. They explained it where you didn't…"

"But I did." Ruby said, feeling a sinking sensation grow deep inside her. "I did explain it. Don't you remember me explaining it?"

"Y-Yes. I do."

"Then why didn't you listen to me?"

"I was wrong-"

"Why didn't you listen to me?" Ruby stressed. "What was different? What did they say? How did they explain it to you?"

"I… I don't know!" Emerald clutched her head, flinching back and gasping through her fingers. "I don't – it hurts! Stop asking me!" she wailed. "I don't know. They explained it. That's all I know. It was explained and I agreed, and I promised to stop. My research was too dangerous! I-"

The girl swayed and almost fell. Ruby caught and lowered her into her chair, eyes wide. Emerald's face was slick with sweat and her pupils were so big and black, almost taking up her entire iris.

"It hurts," she whimpered. "Stop it. I don't… I'm sorry, I think I have a migraine. I'm sorry, Lady Arcanist, b-but can I have some time to rest. I've already said what happened. They took me in, explained why my research was dangerous and I agreed. That's it. There isn't anything more."

There was so much more – so much – but Ruby nodded and stepped back, hands shaking and eyes wide. "Yes. Thanks for answering my questions. Do you know what you're going to research now?"

"Um. I think I'm going to research Grimm," Emerald said. "The White suggested it and… and I think it could be good. For the Collegium," she added. "It would be for the good of the Collegium."

Grimm? That was so wildly different from what she wanted to focus on before. Ruby plastered a smile on her face and let herself out, bidding Emerald farewell and closing the door. A moment later, she was running down the halls and almost bowling an Azure Arcanist over.

Emerald had been determined to save her mother – something Ruby both respected and understood. Why would she go from that, go from being so stubborn as to refuse an Arcanist, to suddenly giving it up and deciding to research something different, all in the space of a day? It didn't make sense. It didn't make sense at all.

For the good of the Collegium. Those were words she'd heard before.

Never from the Azure, though.

Ren was in the upper archives reading through a book with one elbow on his desk and his cheek in the hand. He looked tired and yawned before turning another page. He woke up a little when Ruby's hands slammed down on the table opposite him.

"Hm? Ruby? Is something wrong?"

Her panic must have shown. "N-No. Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to talk."

Ren's pink eyes narrowed a little. He knew she was lying but he was an Initiate and she an Arcanist, so even as friends it wasn't his place to question her. "If you say so," he said, doubt clear. "Do you need my help with anything? I'm free, if a little tired. Nora has been pestering me of late."

"I wanted to ask about your research. Your old one!"

"That? I've let it go. It was too dangerous."

Ruby's entire body shivered. "Did you decide that or the White?"

"Decide…? Well, the white decided it obviously. I didn't even realise why it might become a problem. Once they explained it to me, I saw their point and bowed out."

"Did it bother you?" she asked.

"A little. I was somewhat frustrated at first – that might have more to do with the person they sent to tell me. He was… a rather rude fellow. Family rival," he explained. "And I think he enjoyed the chance to take someone from the Ren family down. It was quite childish."

"What did they say to you?" she pressed. "How did they convince you?"

"Hmm. I don't really remember the details. It's been a while now. I remember they summoned me to the White Cathedral, and I remember that it was to speak about my research. I'd already had a visit the day before, so I knew to expect the worst. It was all quite relaxed, however. They sat me down over tea, explained their point of view and convinced me that whether I saw it or not my research might lead to problems down the line. I was out and back here within a few hours."

"That means you refused the first warning. You wanted to keep your research!"

Ren leaned back. "I did. Not aggressively," he added. "I was prepared to give it up if I was ordered to, but I wanted to give my side of the story and try to change their minds." He laughed softly. "Instead, they changed my mind. I feel silly looking back on it. I acted as though it were years of my life thrown away when I'm seventeen. There are Arcanists in the Azure who have been studying the same topic for decades now."

She could well believe it but that wasn't what she meant. "What did they say exactly to change your mind? Do you remember how it happened?"

"No." He frowned. "Not really. To be fair, it was a while ago. I've had all sorts of conversations since then, not to mention I've been busy working on my new research. All I remember is that they explained it to me over a peaceful meal. They were charismatic, I suppose, but I was more impressed by how they treated me respectfully even though I was an Initiate arguing against Arcanists. They listened to everything I said, which I appreciate."

It sounded polite. It sounded ideal. It sounded like everything Glynda had promised her it would be.

"What are you researching now?" Ruby asked.

"Actually, I'm doing the same research as you are," Ren said happily, showing her the book. "I've decided to focus myself on the Grimm."

Ruby's throat constricted. "The Grimm…?"

"Hmhm. They're one of the biggest threats to Arcanists after all, and after speaking with the White Arcana I realised just how wasteful a lot of people here in the Azure really are. I want to dedicate myself to something that will help people, that will make a difference. Assisting the White in taking down the Grimm will do that."

Ren smiled proudly.

"It's for the good of the Collegium."

/-/

"You're serious?" Cinder looked even more disturbed than she normally did when discussing matters of the White Arcana. The woman's eyes were narrowed, her brows drawn downward. Beside her, Adam Taurus looked no better.

The meeting of the three Wildmages took place in the Sanctum as it always did, Ruby wearing a purple sash over her white robes to denote her presence as a visitor. Her presence within the White Arcana now gave her an even greater excuse for spending time in the Sanctum.

"They're too alike!" Ruby said, head in her hands. "Emerald was determined to keep her research going. Determined. Even Ren was confident he could change their mind, then they both end up sharing the exact same opinion in a single day. Doesn't that sound strange?"

"Of course." Adam said. "But perhaps they were threatened along more mundane lines. What you're suggesting is nothing short of controlling people's minds."

"All forbidden research is checked by the White Arcana. Couldn't they have stolen some and kept going in secret?"

"I suppose…"

"They certainly could have." Cinder said. "The White act as the adjudicators and judges of every piece of potentially dangerous magic discovered or utilised on Remnant. It's entirely possible they might use some of that forbidden magic to complete their tasks. It wouldn't surprise me at all."

The idea wouldn't leave her head. How many other people could they have convinced to change their minds? Could they have done it to her? Probably not if she was thinking about it in the first place.

"If they had that power then why not use it on us?" Adam asked.

"Perhaps it cannot work on Wildmages."

"Then use it on all the other Rogue Arcanists here," he argued. "There's no reason for them to all be locked up if the White can change your mind whenever they choose."

That was a good point!

"It's an example." Cinder said, shaking her head. "Keep in mind that criminals are punished not only to stop them doing harm but to show the innocent that those in power are just. A Rogue Arcanist might have been seen to commit a crime by hundreds of people. They can't afford to wipe the memories of everyone involved, not if they want to keep the fact they have this a secret."

"So, they use it on children instead?" Adam mocked. "That's not exactly subtle."

"They would use it on the Azure mostly. How often do you imagine an Emerald, Black or Crimson Arcanist discovers some potentially forbidden magic or delves too closely to one? They are taught what is allowed to be taught; they're not going to be problems for the White. It's the Azure to strive to discover new things, unlock secrets and probe at what the White might not want them to. It wouldn't surprise me if the Azure are their greatest enemies and the Azure don't even know it."

Just like Blake said the Shadow Arcana were in Menagerie. And much like them, the Azure was being picked apart right now. They'd already lost the Azure Archives and now every single bit of their research was being pored over, with those found to be `too dangerous` brought in to have their minds changed.

"What makes this stand out is how everyone is being told to research the Grimm." Cinder said. "Changing minds might not be too hard to believe, but both of these people moving from their own interests to the Grimm? Too obvious. It reeks of desperation on the White's part."

"Another Menagerie." Adam said. "They believe it will happen here…"

"I'm more worried of how they do it!" Ruby whispered.

"Both issues are of concern." Cinder said. "The White cannot be doing this too often, however. Someone would notice. It is a rare thing, I wager. For when there is no alternative but to make someone forget. Hmm." Cinder rubbed her chin, pinching it between her finger and thumb. "Would you… be willing to do something for me? Not dangerous, but… important."

Ruby blinked. "Um. Sure. What?"

"I remember you once spoke of taunting my brother, Martyn, as to having a Wildmage in the family. You said he denied ever having a sister and I… I assumed that was their way of hiding the truth. Now…" Her eyes closed. "Now, I want to know for sure."

"You think they wiped any memory of you from your family!?"

"I… I hope so. I've spent my whole life assuming my parents gave me up but what if they didn't? What if they discovered my magic and brought me to the Collegium for instruction on how to help me, only for the White Arcana to take me away and make them forget I ever existed?"

"What difference will it make?" Adam asked.

"It would make a difference to me!" she snapped. "I realise this is selfish, Ruby, but it would also be a good way to test your theory. Even if they pretend not to remember me, there should be some reaction if you brought me up. Especially to my mother. She was… doting. Loving."

Cinder stopped talking, eyes closed, and hands gripped into fists on the table.

"Do you think they'd also use it on really important people?" Ruby asked, thinking of Ghira.

Adam spoke when it was clear Cinder would not. "Assuming they have the ability, I don't see why not. It would have to be either people not personally known by many or small changes, otherwise those close to them would notice. Do you have anyone particular in mind?"

"Important family heads." Ruby said. "Maybe even the king."

"Dangerous. Very dangerous. If they tried and failed, the entire balance of the Collegium would collapse in an instant. It would be civil war. I doubt they would risk that unless it was completely necessary. That said, it is possible. I think Cinder may be right that we Wildmages have an immunity to it. Magic affects us differently. That could be dangerous for you," he pointed out. "If they try to use this to change your mind then you cannot appear unaffected or you'll find yourself thrown in here with us."

She would fight before that happened. Fight and die. Ruby bit her lip and shuddered in her chair, wishing she was all the way back in the slums before she'd ever found her magic. The floods and constant starvation were better than this. At least there the worst she had to deal with was a beating from the local guards.

"I'll go check on your family." Ruby said.

Cinder didn't look relieved, but she did not. She was probably unsure of what she wanted to hear, and Ruby didn't blame her. What was worse, to know you were abandoned or to find out your family had their loving memories of you ripped away? At least Summer and Taiyang were dead. That felt like a much kinder fate.

Even if she found out they were doing this and that Ren and Emerald had been manipulated that way, what was she supposed to do? Confronting the White was hopeless, and they'd just try the same method on her. If the Grand Arcanist were still alive she might have considered talking to him but even he was of the White. He might have allowed it in the first place.

The Nobles? They had to be unhappy knowing their children were being controlled this way. If she could find proof, then Ren's parents might be furious. Emerald's was out of the question if she were as ill as she'd said. What proof would satisfy the rulers of the Ren household? It wasn't like they would be able to tell what had changed in their son.

"You'll need allies." Cinder said, either reading her mind or just being on the same page. "You can't do this alone and I doubt anyone within the Collegium will be of much use. You need powerful allies outside it who can make life difficult for the White Arcana."

"I'm thinking of that but who am I meant to go to? Yours might not even remember you!"

"My family is not the only one plagued by sudden bouts of suspicious memory loss, Ruby. Didn't you yourself bring a letter here from the Patriarch of one such house? One who feared for the mental and physical health of his son?"

Ruby's breath sucked inward. "Jaune!"

"The Arc Household, yes. I didn't think anything of it before but this mental degradation that seems to plague both male members of the family. It's suspicious, is it not? The father seems to have recognised that if he begged you to save his son. There would be nothing to save if this was a regular illness uncurable by medicine. His plea would only make sense if this was a malady inflicted on him by another, and one he believed might also be aimed at his son."

No. Not Jaune, to end up like his father? Nicholas Arc was a shell of a man who could barely remember what someone said to him minutes prior. He still does his job in the Sanctum, though. She'd assumed that was some issue of him having done it for so long it was instinctual, but what if it wasn't? What if he does his job here because he's been told to, and he can't remember anything of life outside of here because he's been told to forget it…?

Lady Arc might be interested in hearing of that theory, but it was still just a theory. If Juniper told on her to the White, she'd be in a whole lot of trouble. Then again, Lady Arc hated the White Arcana. That had been abundantly clear. She disliked all Arcanists and the Collegium especially.

"Maybe I can talk to her." Ruby said slowly. "It's worth a shot."

"See her after mine and ask about me." Cinder said. "Nobles interact and many families are close. I remember meeting her once. It's possible she also remembers me, even if my own family does not."

Next Chapter; 7th February

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